title: Heterogeneity of root and nerve ultrasound pattern in CIDP patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The few published ultrasound (US) studies on chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) report diffusely increased cross-sectional area (CSA) of nerves. The data are, however, heterogeneous and correlations with clinical history or disease severity are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with CIDP underwent US nerve evaluation by two neurologists blinded to clinical data. US nerve pattern for each patient was defined by a third neurologist blinded to clinical data. Three US classes were identified based on CSA and echogenicity: large nerves with hypoechoic nerves/fascicles (class 1); large nerves with heterogeneous hypo- and hyperechoic fascicles (class 2); normal size nerve but abnormal hyperechoic array (class 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all patients, US nerve changes were observed: in most of the cases, enlarged nerves or nerve segments were observed. The three 'classes' of US nerve changes significantly correlated (R: 0.68, p<0.001) with disease duration, but not with age or Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US may be of adjunctive diagnostic value in CIDP assessment. Nerve morphological changes may mirror the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and seem to correlate with disease duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results offer the possibility of exploring the use of US to assess CIDP disease activity and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: lpadua@rm.unicatt.it.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Padua
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Granata
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabatelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inghilleri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucchetta
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luigetti
authors.affiliation: Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coraci
authors.affiliation: Radiology Institute, "R" - DICMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martinoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Briani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000145:classification; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autoimmune diseases; Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; Peripheral neuropathy; Ultrasound